Enzo Maresca hailed the end of his centre-back injury crisis as a “huge boost” as he prepares his Chelsea side for the “final rush” of the season.
The Blues have been hit hard by defensive injuries during their mid-season slump, which began in mid-December, around the time that first-choice centre-back Wesley Fofana and his deputy Benoit Badiashile were sidelined by injury.
Both, however, have returned to full training and while Fofana - who was an unused substitute against Southampton last week - is ineligible to make his comeback against Copenhagen on Thursday night, Badiashile has travelled as part of a 21-man squad for the Conference League last-16 first leg.
In further good news, Trevor Chalobah is also fit and has made the trip. Chalobah, who was recalled from his loan spell at Crystal Palace in January to cover for Fofana and Badiashile, was forced off injured early in last month’s defeat to Aston Villa and missed the comfortable home win against Saints.
“They are both ready,” Maresca said. “Trev was not something serious so he is OK.
“Benoit has been training in the past week or 10 days, probably even more. Wes is not in the squad but also he is back.”
Maresca also revealed that midfielder Romeo Lavia has returned to training this week, and suggested that fellow absentees Nicolas Jackson, Marc Guiu and Noni Madueke remains on course to return the other side of the international break.
“Slowly, slowly, we are getting players back and ready for the final rush of the season,” Maresca added.
“We said already a few times, unfortunately our bad moment started with the amount of injuries but some of them are already back and in the process to be back. It is a huge boost for me and for the players.”
